Chapter Twenty-Six: Home

You came and wrapped your arms around my soul
And we were shaking and you're so much a part of me
And so this is why I'm here
When we called you, you came so fast
And sat beside me while hours and days passed
I'll always thank you for that
And there you were with your heart made of gold
So strong, the only thing holding us up
And we knew you would always be so close
And so this is why I'm here
And then there was you

Azure Ray

…

"McSteamy!" Meredith gasped when he suddenly appeared next to her that morning. "What're you doing at the hospital?"

"Addison's getting her chemo treatment, so I'm waiting around until she's done," he explained, then paused. "McSteamy?" he repeated, completely amused. Meredith opened her mouth to start explaining, but he said simply, "I'd rather not even know. So, how's my favorite Dirty Mistress these days? It's been a while."

"Unfortunately, I don't think I'm a Dirty Mistress anymore," she answered in playfully exaggerated regret. "Apparently, marriage made an honest woman out of me. And you… you're back in Seattle."

He nodded. "I am. Not real sure what I'm doing here, though. People do crazy things for love, I guess."

There was a change in Mark that Meredith couldn't help but notice. The only way she could think to describe it was that he had… grown up, so to speak. He had gone from an overconfident, arrogant ladies' man to the guy who read bedtime stories to a six-year-old and carried around a ring in his pocket because he was too afraid to propose. Elena had let the information about the ring slip to Meredith, but she promised to keep it quiet.

"The good news is that if Derek walks up to us right now, I'm not gonna get punched in the jaw," he joked.

"Derek mentioned that you two finally made up. It's good for both of you, and it'll make things easier on Elena," Meredith remarked, and Mark nodded in agreement. "This has to be a big change from the life you've been used to."

"You know what? As different as it is—and believe me, it's definitely not the life I ever thought I would lead or even want—I'm actually happy," he admitted. It was the first time he'd said it out loud, said it that way, and it surprised him a little bit. It scared him, too, but it wasn't something that made him want to turn and walk away. "I like the whole dad-ish thing. Elle is the coolest kid, and getting to see things from her point of view is just… amazing." He paused and added quickly, "Did I really just say that?"

Meredith giggled, finding this new version of Mark surprisingly pleasant. "I get it. I never thought I'd be a mother, either. But Elle and Hayden and Aida—I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like without them. Once you become a parent, you become this whole other person that you never even knew was inside you."

Her words completely explained everything he was feeling. He was a different person now—a better person that he ever thought he could be. For the first time, he was thinking of something greater than himself, and to his surprise, it was an amazing feeling; it was a feeling that he never wanted to lose.

…

"Aaron, I mean it. Come out right now!" Cristina ordered in exasperation as she searched the apartment for her youngest son. "Burke, help me find him!"

"Check behind the couch," he suggested, busy tending to Lillian, cooking dinner, and helping both Oliver and Elena with their homework. Cristina had just gotten home from the hospital and was probably beyond exhausted, and he knew that Aaron would definitely test her limits.

Of course, that's exactly where he was, and he giggled as Cristina dragged him out into the open. "Okay, so not funny," she told him, but the two-year-old apparently found it hilarious. "Come on, Giggles, let's get you washed up and in your pajamas."

"What're you laughing at, Daddy?" Oliver wondered, looking up from his math homework to see his father grinning and shaking his head.

"Your mom just makes me smile," he answered, quietly amused at the way his wife went about things, especially when it came to the children. Their parenting styles were certainly different—he was calm and quietly disciplinary while she was straightforward and blunt—but they were complimentary.

Elena piped up, "My daddy laughs at Meredith all the time, but not in a mean way. He thinks it's funny 'cause she can't cook or 'cause she yells at the TV when the characters do something she doesn't want. He thinks it's charming."

"Charming. Exactly," Preston agreed. "How's that paper coming along, Elle? Your dad told me the first draft was due tomorrow. Your mom also mentioned it when she and Mark brought your suitcase to the hospital."

"I'll be done before dinner," she assured him. Her mother's chemo treatments had started once again, so it was back to staying with Meredith and her father for a while. However, Oliver had insisted that Elena stay the night, and Cristina and Burke had gladly agreed.

"What about you, Oliver? Is that the same math we went over yesterday?" He could hardly believe that his five-year-old's curriculum already consisted of basic times tables, but Rosebrook was the best school in the city and would prepare him well.

"I get them now, I think. I just need to memorize the fives, and then I'm done," he reported, in deep concentration.

A moment later, Cristina returned with Aaron in tow—now in his dinosaur footy pajamas. "Please tell me that whatever you're cooking is delicious and fattening," she practically pleaded, taking Lillian into her arms.

"Chicken Rochambeau," he answered as he attended to his rendition of one of his mother's favorite dishes. "Just like Mama makes it."

"My favorite thing about Mama," Cristina said laughingly. It was surprising how well she and Burke's mother got along now; ever since she found out that Cristina and Burke were expecting Oliver, she had been the picture of an ideal mother-in-law. "Elle, how's your paper going? Both Meredith and Mark told me to be sure that you had it done. Seriously, like you'd forget or something. You're probably more responsible than any of us," she smiled. In a way, Elena kind of belonged to all of them; she was their McBaby—their first truly great collaboration as surgeons. And certainly their most memorable.

"All done. Will you read it after dinner?"

"Sure. It'll be Aaron's bedtime story," she laughed, and upon hearing the mention of his name, little Aaron begin his antics once again. "You're the reason that people drink tequila, kiddo" she told her youngest son teasingly, and both Preston and Elena burst into laughter while Aaron relished in the attention.

…

"Addie, you okay in there?" Mark asked from outside the bathroom door. She had been in there for an hour now, all the while insisting that he remain exactly where he was. "I promise I've seen worse."

"I'm fine," she practically whimpered, and he had finally had enough of doing nothing.

It broke his heart when he opened the door to find her half kneeling, half lying on the bathroom floor near the toilet, her head rested exhaustedly on her arm. She looked up at him when he walked in but didn't argue. Instead, when he knelt on the floor beside her and pulled her hair back, she started to cry.

"Hey, it's okay," he whispered, rubbing her back comfortingly.

"I'm so tired of this, Mark," she said tearfully. "I just can't—" she tried to continue, but the effects of the chemo were overpowering, and she succumbed to the nausea that coursed through her entire body. "This sucks."

Even in such a state, Mark was reassured to see that her dry humor was still intact. "Yeah, doesn't look like much fun," he joked then proceeded to wipe her face with a damp towel.

"Okay, who are you and what have you done to Mark Sloan?"

"What are you talking about?"

Addison sighed. "Mark, these past few weeks, you have been amazing. You've been there when I needed you. You've cooked dinner and have done laundry—which I didn't know you could do, by the way. And Elena adores you."

"I… don't see a problem," he stated in confusion. The tone in her voice hinted that there was something wrong.

"What in the world are you still doing here? The Mark I knew didn't keep promises that weren't convenient to him, and he definitely didn't do the whole family thing. But now you've come back into my life, and you've completely submersed yourself in this new existence. You're doing all the right things, and you're being so wonderful. And I don't know what to think of all this. I don't want to fall in love with you again unless I'm sure I won't get hurt."

"I won't hurt you again, Addison. It took me long enough, but I've finally realized that the only time I was ever really happy was when I was with you. I love you, and I'm going to be here for you, no matter what," he said softly. "I'd rather know that you were mine for a month than go a lifetime knowing that I missed out on a single minute with you."

She smiled, and he took her hand into his. Maybe she would regret it, but she decided to believe him. "I think I'm finally done in here. I just wanna lie down in my bed instead of on this cold tile."

Mark helped her stand while she brushed her teeth—three times, which he found a little bit amusing, but completely understandable. And, to her surprise, he lifted her up into his arms. He then carried her down the hall and into her room, where he placed her gently onto the bed and pulled the blankets over her. "Comfortable? Do you need me to get you anything?"

"No, I'm all right," she answered, surprised at the sudden emergence of butterflies in her stomach.

"Okay," he nodded, and kissed her forehead. "Just call out if you need something," he instructed before turning to go to the guest room that had become his own.

However, she suddenly found herself speaking. "Mark, wait. There is something I need. Would you… please sleep in here tonight?"

"Seriously?" he questioned, eyebrow raised.

"Just sleep," she added with a grin, knowing exactly where his mind was wandering. After all, some things just didn't change.

"I guess it's a start," he shrugged playfully and climbed into the bed beside her, and she rested her head on his chest. "God, I missed this," he whispered, not realizing that he'd spoken out loud.

"Me, too," she seconded, her voice laced with exhaustion and the beginning of sleep.

Mark's thoughts went to the diamond ring that sat in the top drawer of his bedside table. He wanted so badly to ask her, to hear her say yes. But despite everything, he still wasn't sure that she would. The moment had to be perfect—Addison deserved a perfect moment—so he would wait. "Sweet dreams, Addie," he said gently, but her soft, even breath sounds told him that she was already fast asleep.

He smiled to himself as he realized that, finally, he was home.